Riders’ Malik Carney back in the lineup for regular-season finale

Malik Carney is ready to get after opposing quarterbacks.

The defensive end has missed the past four games due to an ankle injury he suffered in the Labour Day Classic rematch in Winnipeg on Sept. 7.

“I’m extremely excited to be back just to be back playing ball again and being back with my teammates and brothers and being out here just balling,” Carney said. “Just embracing everything — the fans, the teammates and just playing ball.”

Carney has four sacks in 12 games this season with the Riders to go along with 26 defensive tackles. He was injured as the Riders were mired in a seven-game winless streak. He returns to the lineup as the Riders (9-7-1) have now won four straight games ahead of the team’s regular-season finale against the Calgary Stampeders (4-12-1). Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

If the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-7) lose to the Montreal Alouettes (12-4-1) earlier that afternoon, the Riders could clinch first place in the CFL West Division with a win over the Stamps.

“It’s great because this is clutch time now. The next game is Calgary with a lot of things at stake for us,” Carney said. “Looking to take the number one seed and keep that momentum going into the playoffs.”

With Carney coming onto the roster, one player had to be taken off and that appears to be veteran defensive tackle Anthony Lanier II according to the Riders’ depth chart.

“When you have a bunch of good players at a position, you can only really play so many as far as the roster goes. That’s the decision I made this week,” head coach Corey Mace said. “Certainly with the addition of Carney getting back, he has been out for a little bit and we just want to make sure we are giving him some reps before we get into a playoff game. He’s had a really good week of practice and we will see what that looks like for him come game day.”

“As we push into the playoff picture, it gives us and allows us to have all current eyes on everybody to put forth the best roster that we feel for us to win the game each week. That is how it’s rolling this week and excited to see the boys roll.”

The Riders also have a number of game-time decisions due to the uncertainty surrounding whether the game will mean something in the standings or not.

Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr., who was named the team nominee for three awards including Most Outstanding Player earlier in the week, wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, running back AJ Ouellette, slotback Sam Emilus, and wide receiver Colton Hunchak all carry that designation heading into the game.

Mace also said he will be smart when deciding quarterback reps depending on the result of the Winnipeg game.

(Saskatchewan Roughriders)